Page 36 of The Dire Legacy

“Ask her what she wants. Maybe she wants to be tied by a knot to one of the young males.” He makes a chuffing sound as he laughs.

But, it still pisses me off. “Hell, no. It’s not funny. I’ll take care of her.” The rest of the pack is supposed to join us after we get the house set up. I get to enjoy her company for only a few more days. It’s kind of nice to have another human around for a little while.

Well, a whole one and not just bits and pieces.

Alpha stands and slides the upper arm from his mouth, stripping the flesh from the bone as if it’s a skewer. “We fight to the death over unclaimed females. Remember that.” He lumbers off, a swarm of flies following him.

Fuck.

Armed with a handful of snacks, I follow the sounds of splashing and giggling coming from the lake’s edge.

Hope is locked into a playful game of tug-o-war with two of the puppies. Her poor shirt is the helpless victim between them.

But, I don’t care about the ruined clothes.

Her pale, bare back stretches and turns as she wrestles. The smooth contours of her spine fade into the low slung pants that stick out just above the frothing waters.

A flash of her rounded breast and a tight pink nipple has my cock filling and tightening my jeans.

Shit. I didn’t expect that.

My dick needs to cool it. I’m not letting it lure me into a bad situation again.

She startles when I clear my throat, but she doesn’t move to cover herself.

Instead she fully faces me and drops her hands. “Coming for a swim, too? Watch your clothes, they’re libel to be torn right off.” Her green eyes sparkle mischievously as she smiles up at me.

She’s the devil.

I’m convinced of it.

Wading closer to the bank, she wins the battle over her top and wrings it out before tossing it over her shoulder. Her soaked pants hang heavily revealing a teasing tuft of dark hair at the base of her belly.

I wonder if it’s brown or black. It’s hard to tell at this distance.

No, I don’t care. Seeing more is a dangerous path I’ll never be able to venture down.

“I’m good. Just wasn’t sure if you were hungry.” It’s too late to turn back.

One foot crests the rocky shore, then the other. Her sodden bottoms cling to the contours of her legs like a second skin as she slowly walks closer. Each agonizing footfall is measured as hereyes dig into me. Glimmering droplets catch the prism of the sun reflecting iridescent rainbows that halo around her.

Heavenly.

The sly smile she wears betrays any doubts of her intentions. She knows exactly what she’s doing to me and the effect she has.

“This must be your love language.” Her thin fingers pluck a bar from my clenched glove before continuing up the bank.

I nearly choke as I sputter a reply. “My what?”

“Don’t act surprised.” She doesn’t turn, but pushes towards the wagon at her leisurely, hip swaying pace.

Not that the view is bad from this angle as I follow her up the small incline. The wet fabric hugs under each of her ass cheeks. There’s a dimple that sits at the crest on either side that plays hide and seek with me as she walks.

“I don’t even know what that means.” My eyes are exactly at her hip level. Too soon the ground flattens and I’m towering over her bald head again. This close, I can just see a fuzz of new growth.

“You like to take care of people, be a provider. That isn’t the only way to show you care, but you’re obviously not a physical touch kinda person.” The smile she tosses my way is emphasized with one of her brows climbing. “Which one of these had clothes?” Raising onto her tiptoes, she reaches into the wagon.

She grabs one of the heavy zippers of the canvas bags and starts pulling it down before I can stop her.

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